Russell's MVP Campaign Is Making The Thunder A Better Team
By A. Suave Francisco
As the season progresses, the Oklahoma City Thunder continue to improve, much like last season. This time may be more impressive, though, simply because they don't have near the amount of firepower they've had in past years. With that being said, Oklahoma City won their sixth-straight game, this time in Atlanta 102-99. Russell Westbrook continued his historic run with his sixth-straight triple-double and 11th of the season.
This greatness hasn't gone unnoticed, but sometimes people may take it for granted. Westbrook continues to put up unbelievable numbers that the NBA hasn't seen since the 90s. Last season, he was being compared to Magic Johnson and this season he's breaking records set by the likes of Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
What's more impressive may be the fact that he's doing this without an All-star by his side. He's truly making his teammates better by the game. Players like Anthony Morrow and Victor Oladipo are getting quality looks, and feeling confident about shooting them.
Throughout all the criticism early in this season, the Thunder (14-8) sit tied for fourth place in the Western Conference with the Houston Rockets (13-7). This is where some people projected them finishing after 82 games, and they were considered overly-optimistic. Now, just a tad over the quarter mark of the season, they are fourth in the Western Conference and they continue to improve. The Thunder have every reason to think they can compete for as high as third in the conference because the Los Angeles Clippers (16-6) have constantly proven to be a team that starts healthy, with no controversies, but ends the season with a list of issues.
For that to happen, Russell will either have to continue this pace or depend on his ever-improving role players to step up over the course of the season. Role players being: Oladipo, whose seemingly found his rhythm in this new offense. Morrow, a player that everyone knows can shoot and has finally received the playing time he's always deserved. Jerami Grant, growing every game, at just 22 years old. Along with Steven Adams and Enes Kanter, two players that have the potential of being the best frontcourt in the NBA.
Everything mentioned is obtainable as long as this team continues to make strides through the remainder of the season. At this rate, Oklahoma City is on track to win between 48-52 games, which would be nothing short of amazing considering the hand they've been dealt following a stressful summer of free agency.
The Thunder will try to extend their win streak to seven in a row on Friday against the Houston Rockets, a team they've already defeated at home earlier in the season.